Fortescue moves to ditch diesel on Pilbara rail

By Chloe Coutinho

Friday, 13 February 2026

NewsTechnology & Innovation

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has commenced commissioning of two new battery electric locomotives on its rail network as it moves to decarbonise its Pilbara iron ore operations.

The MOU supports Metallium’s plan to develop a national network of e-waste processing facilities, strategically located near major e-waste collection hubs, rapidly expanding U.S. data centre industrial parks and regional industrial corridors with strong logistics and waste generation.

Peering beneath the surface

CompaniesFeaturesProjectsTechnology & Innovation

Peering beneath the surface

AS Australia’s greenfield outcropping and sub-cropping deposits become increasingly scarce, miners are digging deeper than ever before, exploring new options on green and brownfields tenements. To do this, they must be able to look further underground to map the subterranean deposits before expensive exploratory drilling programs can take place. Geophysical technology allows explorers to do just that – giving explorers high resolution 3D models of up to 3km below the surface. According to Independence Group (IGO) chief geophysicist, Andrew Fitzpatrick, “the new frontier is exploring undercover”. Mr Fitzpatrick spoke with the Australian Mining Review about the way IGO has been using geophysical methods and technologies on the company’s Nova deposit, and its satellite Albany Fraser copper-nickel project in WA. The...

shutterstock_1041363826

NewsTechnology & Innovation

Rio Tinto’s first Pilbara-made railcar

The collaboration between Rio Tinto, Gemco Rail and CRRC Qiqihar Rolling Stock will see 100 railcars being manufactured to support local production capacity in WA.This railcar marks the completion of 40 WA-made iron ore railcars manufactured in Gemco Rail’s Perth facility, with the remaining 60 expected to be manufactured in the new, purpose-built facility in Karratha. The Karratha facility is expected to create up to 25 local jobs.

Rio boosts WA-made green steel

NewsTechnology & Innovation

Rio boosts WA-made green steel

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has signed an agreement to support construction of Calix’s Zero Emissions Steel Technology (Zesty) demonstration plant in WA.

Skills gap will widen: report

NewsTechnology & Innovation

Skills gap will widen: report

Areas of technology investment in Australian mining. Image: Newport Consulting. BY ELIZABETH FABRI MINING companies are embracing the transition to the ‘digital mine’ by investing in new technologies, but falling short when it comes to preparing future workforces, Newport Consulting has found. In its 2018 Mining Business Outlook, the operational management consultancy firm revealed strong signs of revival for the sector following a series of in-depth interviews with more than 50 mining leaders. However it flagged an emerging skills gap confronting the industry as a result of the rise of automation and a ‘gig economy’ set to redefine roles and disrupt job security. “We spoke to many companies of all sizes that voiced concern over a widening...

(Image source: New Acland Coal) New Acland Coal operator Ella Graham.

Queensland new-to-industry intake gets women into mining

Queensland new-to-industry intake gets women into mining Two trailblazing women have swapped the salon and vet hospital for new careers at the New Acland mine in Queensland. Jodi Keane-Venz, a former hairdresser and teacher and Ella Graham, a former vet nurse, started work at New Acland Coal in August. The duo is part of a new-to-industry intake, which required no prior knowledge of the mining industry. Mrs Keane-Venz, an Oakey based hairdresser for the past 30 years says she jumped at the opportunity to swap the scissors of the salon for the roads of the New Acland mine. “My husband and sons have worked in...

The NeoSmelt project remains open for collaboration with other parties that complement its objectives.

BlueScope, BHP and Rio Tinto decarbonise steel

BlueScope, BHP and Rio Tinto decarbonise steel Australia’s two largest iron ore miners and its biggest steelmaker have selected the Kwinana Industrial Area in WA as the location to develop Australia’s largest ironmaking electric smelting furnace (ESF) pilot plant. The groundbreaking project combines the expertise of BlueScope (ASX: BSL), BHP (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) to test technology to enable the use of Pilbara iron ore to produce iron without the need for traditional blast furnaces, as the companies come together to try to accelerate the decarbonisation of steelmaking. The industry leaders formed the NeoSmelt collaboration in February 2024, combining...

(Image source: Gold Fields) Members of Ngadju and Gold Fields at Lake Cowan after the historic signing.

Gold Fields-Ngadju People native title agreement for St Ives mine

Gold Fields-Ngadju People native title agreement for St Ives mine Gold Fields and the Ngadju Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (NNTAC) RNTBC have signed a Native Title Agreement for the St Ives gold mine in WA. The Ngadju People are the determined Native Title holders of the area surrounding Norseman, spanning 102,000km2, which includes Gold Fields’ St Ives gold mine located in Kambalda. This landmark agreement delivers compensation payments to the Ngadju People, including a substantial initial payment in recognition of the historical mining activities that have occurred on Ngadju lands. NNTAC chair Thelma Dimer says this agreement represents a...

Rio’s Weipa operations in Far North Queensland includes three bauxite mines, processing facilities, shiploaders, an export wharf, two ports, power stations, a rail network and ferry terminals.

Rio Tinto locks in $276m for Amrun

Rio Tinto locks in $276m for Amrun Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has approved an investment of $276m (US$180m) and commenced work on the Norman Creek access project at its Amrun bauxite mine on Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula. The Norman Creek access project will enable mining of the Norman Creek region of Amrun, which holds approximately half of the currently declared Amrun ore reserves of 978mt. Construction is underway on key infrastructure, including a 19-kilometre haul road, camp accommodation and a communications tower. First production from Norman Creek is targeted...